Our Staff

Kylie chapman

Pre-Kindergarten

Kylie's bio can be found here: Our Directors.

Dana brecht

Kindergarten

Dana's bio can be found here: Our Directors.

patricia bean

Second Grade

Mrs. Bean received her B.S. from McNeese State University in Louisiana and her Masters in Education from Stephen F. Austin. She taught 30 years in the elementary in Newton ISD and about 15 of those at Bleakwood Elementary. During those 30 years she taught second, third, and fourth grade. Third grade was her longest placement, but second grade was her favorite.

In 2003 Mrs. Bean retired to bond with her twin granddaughters. When they started school she went back to work teaching reading in 2007 and in 2011 she retired again. She continued bonding with her granddaughters by picking them up from school on Wednesdays, taking them to AWANA at her church, and then taking them to school the next morning.

Mrs. Bean's goal as a teacher is to be sure her students get her best. She wants them to learn and tries every way possible to ensure that happens.

BRITTANY JAMES

Mother's Day Out

Enrichment Teacher: P.E.

Brittany has an Associates of Applied Science from Lamar Institute of Technology. She spent 8 years doing Computer Drafting before leaving her job to stay home with her children.

While being home with her children, she put her time into forming a Parent Volunteer Organization for her son's preschool along with volunteering for the nursery and preschool classes at her church. These experiences led her to become the Early Childhood Director for her church, Central Baptist in Buna.

During the spring semester of 2025 Britttany stepped in to fill the P.E. teacher vacancy at CCA. She instantly fell in love with the scholars and the job. This helped her decision to return to CCA for not just PE, but also to teach Mother's Day Out. She is looking forward to many more years with CCA.

Shanna mcdonald

Enrichment Teacher: Art

Shanna's grandmother, daddy, stepmother, brother, and two sister in laws were all teachers. She took an education class to help a friend graduate. She was given the student who was "impossible to teach". The second Shanna met that student God placed it on her heart to make every second with him count. She started doing what she had watched her grandmother do in her kindergarten school room that she taught from home in after her retirement. By the end of the semester, that student was reading four grades above his reading level and Shanna had changed her major to education. Shanna graduated with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin University.

Shanna taught 5th-8th grade remedial/dyslexia reading for 22 years. She then held the position of 6th grade art/inclusion/ISS substitute for 4 years and 1 semester of special education reading/inclusion/ISS substitute before retiring. During her teaching career, she was student council leader, cheer sponsor, UIL coach for oral reading and chess, a school bus driver, and cafeteria monitor.

Shanna has been married to her husband, Lathan, for 28 years and they have a daughter, McKenzie, who is engaged and going to college to become a veterinarian. Shanna has 1 dog and 3 cats. McKenzie and her fiance' are adopting a puppy from the shelter who will also be at staying at Shanna's house. Shanna and her family once took over 50 shelter dogs from Texas to Canada by truck and trailer to be adopted. Shanna's hobbies include Bible journaling, drawing, and making floral arrangements for McKenzie's wedding.

God decided Shanna didn't need to be fully retired and sent her to CCA as our art enrichment teacher. She fell in love with the younger children and the staff's dedication to teaching God's word.

connie merka

Enrichment Teacher: Chapel

Connie loves children and felt called to teach 3-7 year olds at her church in 2003 and has not stopped since. She feels teaching children about Jesus is the most important thing you can teach them, along with strong academics and morals. She is excited to join CCA and be able to share Jesus with our scholars. Connie is committed to giving her best with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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